Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 403 i Farms and Farm Machinery

From July 2022, CNH Industrial will distribute its own brands, including Case IH and New Holland, to dealers across New Zealand - forgoing its existing agreement with CB Norwood. In a statement, CB Norwood said the arrangement would not impact its retail operations. "The company’s sales, parts, service and warranty support for New Holland and Case IH tractors, harvesters and equipment will continue as normal. So, it’s business as usual for Norwood customers," it says. CB Norwood chief executive Tim Myers says the change reflects a global trend in how original equipment manufacturers have started taking their products to market. "With CNH Industrial managing wholesale supply and distribution, we’re able to focus on best-in-class customer experiences," he says. "As well as selling and servicing world-class agricultural machinery, we’re better positioned…

Recent university studies have proven the effectiveness of Steketee’s hoeing technology, ahead of the product’s release in Australia next year. In a study conducted by the University of Applied Sciences of South Westphalia, in Germany, researchers found the Steketee EC-Weeder, working in conjunction with Lemken’s Azurit precision speed drill, was able to control weeds in all variations of a trial. The results found the weeder, which was equipped with finger hoes and harrows as hoeing tools, effectively controlled weeds in the early stages of the plant’s growth, ripping the weeds out and then burying them. Using a precisely set Steketee hoe, weeds were about to be controlled efficiently – from their early shoots through to the cotyledon leaf stage. In the trial, the maize plants – grown in twin rows…

New Holland will mark its 60th anniversary with a special edition forage harvester, featuring a new livery and unique benefits for operators. The celebration marks six decades since New Holland’s first self-propelled forage harvester debuted, when the manufacturer transformed its SP818 pull-type harvesters into the new machine. To celebrate, all editions of the FR Forage Cruiser produced for the next season will bear a 60th anniversary decal, silver swash and sliver leaf to recognise the advancements in technologies and performance made by New Holland across the last 60 years. Standard MyPLM Connect, UpTime Solutions and UpTime Warranty will also be included as standard on the special edition harvesters. “For the last 60 years, New Holland forage harvesters have constantly pushed the boundaries of performance, delivering the highest quality silage to…

New Holland has unveiled the successor to its best-selling BR6090 fixed chamber baler, launching the new roll-bar 125 fixed chamber round baler in overseas markets. The manufacturer confirmed to Farms & Farm Machinery that the 125 model will not be available in Australia; only the 150 and 180 roll belt models will be sold here. With the 125, New Holland has built upon the success of its predecessor with improvements made to the new iteration’s performance and durability, while also adding a host of new features to the machine. Company spokesperson Felix Ramueke says the baler is the ideal replacement for the outgoing BR6090 baler. “The best-selling fixed chamber baler on the market has a worthy successor in the roll-bar 125, which remains true to its strong heritage DNA,” says…

IDW Australia – Tatura Park Australia’s International Dairy Week, held in Tatura Park, Victoria, is a forum to showcase the latest developments in Australian dairy cattle, farming practices, dairy knowledge, breeding and genetics, machinery, equipment and technology, environmental management and services. Held during the third week of January each year, IDW is the place to be for all dairy farmers, breeders, producers, companies, organisations and others operating within the dairy industry. When: January 16-20, 2022 More info: https://internationaldairyweek.com.au Geelong Classic Truck & Machinery Show – Breakwater Geelong plays host to one of the biggest and best displays of classic trucks, tractors, cars, machinery plus much more. As well as having a range of visiting clubs and displays, the event also showcases the Vintage Machinery Section’s own pavilion with more than…

By definition, a plague is: • a contagious bacterial disease characterised by fever and delirium; or• an unusually large number of insects or animals infesting a place and causing damage. Plagues and People, a 1976 book by William McNeill, is a great read for anyone interested in the extraordinary political, demographic, ecological and psychological impacts of disease on human cultures. For instance, the conquest of Mexico was as much impacted by the rapid spread of smallpox as by the Spanish conquistadors, while the bubonic plague drove the end of feudalism in Europe and there’s no doubt COVID-19 was in part responsible for the removal of Donald Trump from the US Presidency. In the animal kingdom plagues can occur in certain species, which can breed quickly in response to an overabundance…

Industry-leading Caltex Delo and Havoline brand lubricants are set to grow market share as they transition to the hands of Chevron’s sales force from January 2022. Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies and has been present in Australia for more than 60 years. Caltex – a global Chevron brand – is currently used under license in Australia. “The Caltex brand has a decades-long and proud history in Australia,” said Brisbane-based Chevron Australia Downstream General Manager, Anna Vargas. “We are excited to build on this legacy and have significant plans to grow the Caltex network and the lubricant product range across Australia from 2022.” Vargas is looking forward to Caltex fuels and lubricants returning under Chevron stewardship. This process will begin from 1 January 2022. Vargas said…

Getting the right information and advice before purchasing a pump is the most important part of the process, W&P Pumps owner Wayne Surplice believes. Surplice speaks with 35 years of industry experience, having started W&P Pumps as a family business in 1986 in the northern Victorian town of Kyabram. Since then, he has seen plenty of change in the industry, witnessed the most common mistakes and built a wealth of knowledge about what to do – and what not to do. He says the best approach with any new customer is for both parties to get as much information as possible about what the pump’s intended use is. “Getting the right advice and information so you know what you are getting for your money is very important,” says Surplice. “Sometimes…

Work is underway on a five-year project in Tasmania that will divert drainage water to a reservoir for future use. Tasmanian farmer Alistair Mitchelson has commissioned the project, which will create a natural flow of rainfall from his paddocks to the reservoir, rather than requiring him to pump the water there. WD Drainage started the project at the beginning of the year, using a Mastenbroek 20/15 drainage trencher to carry out the work. The first phase of the project, which wrapped up in March, had the potential to add 38,250 cubic metres of water to the reservoir during the three months of winter rainfall, says Mastenbroek spokesman Fred Clarke. The stored water, equivalent to about 15 Olympic swimming pools, will be used in the summer months, which is likely to…

Australian grain growing regions are again under pressure from resurgent mice numbers, which could threaten the winter crop harvest over the coming months, according to the CSIRO and Grains and Research Development Corporation (GRDC). For much of 2021, large grain growing areas of New South Wales, as well as parts of southern Queensland and northern Victoria, have been subjected to mice plagues, which have wreaked continual havoc on crops. And still, reports of reviving mice numbers throughout the country’s entire cropping zone at this time of year have raised concerns with industry experts. Speaking at the GRDC Grains Research Update in early September, CSIRO research officer and mice control expert Steve Henry said warmer growing regions in Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales have been particularly affected. “It is…

Key agricultural sectors will soon be able to employ foreigners through a new visa announced by the federal government. The new Australian agriculture visa was set to be formalised at the time of going to press, however it’s not known when the first people using it will start, and where they will come from. The new visa will enable workers to enter Australia and work across the agriculture and primary industry sectors, including meat processing, forestry and fisheries. The visa has long been coveted by ag industry bodies given the ongoing labour crisis affecting the sector following the border constraints inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as recent changes to the Working Holiday Maker program. In a statement jointly released by Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Agriculture Minister David…

Business lending in the agricultural sector has jumped significantly while rural land prices are also surging, according to reports by two of Australia’s big banks. Data from the Commonwealth Bank shows its overall business asset finance lending during the 2020–21 financial year was 20 per cent higher than the medians recorded over the past decade. Agriculture was one of the key contributors to the increase, up by 50 per cent, with only aircraft and shipping plus earthmoving equipment outdoing the sector. Within agriculture, headers were the star performer, with lending for investment in that product up by 120 per cent. Commonwealth Bank also found business lending for seeders was up 72 per cent, harvesters had a 50 per cent boost, lending for tractors increased by 41 per cent and sprayers…

Great Plains Agriculture has unveiled its new Max-Chisel disc ripper, which boasts three work zones and can rip up to 12 inches (30.5cm) deep. The disc ripper is also capable of effectively burying residue, leaving behind a level and uniform field for farmers as they prepare their soil for planting. The Max-Chisel disc ripper is available in two rigid models, which range from 3.51m to 4.27m, and four folding versions, which range from 5.03m to 7.32m. All models can be hydraulically adjusted to alter the disc gang depth control and heavy-duty toggle-trip reset shanks. Great Plains product manager John Moloney says the Max-Chisel’s samurai edge blade makes the disc ripper ideal for burying residue and decomposition. “The benefit of the exclusive samurai edge with unique mounting configuration, means residue is…

It’s no secret that sales of farm machinery entered solidly positive territory in 2021 on the back of a positive season and additional government support. But there’s one farm asset that’s more notoriously thin on the ground than ever – and that’s the ground itself, with farm land prices at record highs and some analysts asking whether land availability has hit a ceiling. It’s a change that is leading farmers to look to cultivate land that has previously been left alone or untended – with even some former plantations being turned back into cropping country. For Alberto Rosso, the recently appointed managing director for the Asia Pacific of forestry mulcher and tiller manufacturer FAE, it’s an interesting time to make the move Down Under. Rosso arrived at the company’s Melbourne…

The month of August was another outstanding one for tractor sales across the nation, with a rise of 40 per cent on the same month last year. This now sees the year-to-date (YTD) figure rise to 30 per cent above last year, with a running rate well in excess of 16,000 tractors per annum. The industry is dealing with extremes at present, with new challenges emerging from items ranging from computer chips to tyres. Machine deliveries continue to be pushed out, particularly in the smaller ranges, and price rises for raw materials are beginning to impact the finished product. Whilst there remains considerable supply challenges and long lead times, the current demand is being fed by aggressive ordering by dealers back in 2020 in anticipation of strong ongoing activity. Sales…

The latest McCormick release, the X8 680 VT-Drive, tops out the X8 range at 310hp (231kW) at 1,900rpm.. Initial impressions were a big thumbs up. As expected of any tractor in this class, it’s large, with LED lights aplenty, and on quality big rubber – what’s not to like? While ‘blacking out’ tractors seem to have become a recent trend – with dark wheels, panels and windows – McCormick has stayed true to its bold red aesthetic. However, rather than its usual fire engine red, this special edition is more of a classy metallic red. Ironically, it almost perfectly matched the Strautmann Magnon loader wagon we hooked it up to for our test drive. Operating on flat ground and without being loaded due to the availability of grass and terrain…

If you’re on a small acreage, clearing a bush block or moving building materials around a work or house site, Kioti’s standout CS2610 sub-compact tractor is built tough to help out. At the other end of the Kioti range, the powerful PX1153 really is the next step forward; a versatile tractor that will adapt to the requirements of your farming operation, excelling in a host of applications. First, let’s go over the Kioti CS2610. This model is exported worldwide and it’s easy to understand why. Whether mowing, shifting materials or debris, digging or grading driveways, this cleverly-designed 26 horsepower (18kW), multi-functional lifestyle tractor will save hours of labour. Kioti has been a diesel engine manufacturer since 1947 and knows Australian conditions well. The company has produced an eco-friendly engine that…

In a world where remote monitoring and automation is becoming increasingly common at all levels of industry, there are still simple problems – and straightforward solutions. Dan Buzatu is the national technical sales manager for the Australian arm of ifm, one of the world’s leading specialist automation technology developers, and a person who has worked with some of Australia’s largest factories and mining groups. How, then, to deal with the age-old problem of monitoring water levels in a stock dam, as the company was asked a few years ago? Buzatu says a complex device might not be the best solution – noting the one being used by the farmer in this example was not only complicated, but required a specialist to install. Instead, ifm’s io-key was able to take data…

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has announced three new research missions and $150 million in investment, focusing on drought, the food export market and growing the protein market. These new missions will aim to: • reduce the impacts of drought by 30 per cent• increase the value of Australian agrifood exports by $10 billion• produce an additional $10 billion of high-quality protein products by 2030. “For over a century, CSIRO has been working with farmers and governments to improve life on this great land – but today we’re bringing all of our newest science and technology, from artificial intelligence to genetics and smart materials, to bear on overcoming our oldest national challenge – drought,” says CSIRO chief executive Dr Larry Marshall. “Overcoming the impacts of drought, protecting…

Australian agricultural production is forecast to be worth $73 billion in the 2021–22 financial year, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). The forecast is up from the $66 billion in agricultural production generated in the last financial year, with the value of ag exports predicted to reach $54.7 billion; also a new record. If what has been forecast in ABARES’ Agricultural Commodities: September Quarter report comes true, it will be the first time the agriculture sector is valued at over $70 billion, says ABARES executive director Jared Greenville. “The forecast for next year is due to a combination of factors, all tumbling neatly into place,” he says. “The value of crop production is set to rise by seven per cent…

Farmer sentiment remains at near-record highs, spurred on by good rainfall and strong commodity prices, according to Rabobank’s quarterly Rural Confidence Survey. Despite the wider economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19, the survey reveals more than 90 per cent of farmers expect the current positive conditions to either continue or improve over the next year. The overall sentiment is the equal third-highest ever in the survey’s history, which includes more than 80 quarters of data since its introduction in 2000. A large improvement during the last quarter was that 43 per cent of farmers surveyed anticipate the agricultural economy to improve during the next year, which is up from 35 per cent in the previous survey. Commodity prices and ideal seasonal conditions are the two main reasons cited by farmers for…

The cooperation – named Katalis, which means ‘catalyst’ in Bahasa Indonesia – will help facilitate future grain opportunities and provide farmers with useful information to maximise grain value for animal feed and high-quality food products. Through Katalis, 500,000 tonnes of Australian feed grains can enter Indonesia duty free; with that figure also providing up to five per cent growth each year. Katalis forms part of the broader Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), which was enacted in July 2021. Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre chief executive Richard Simonaitis outlines some of the ways the cooperation will help the grain sector. “Through in-market engagement and webinars, we deliver regular and consistent information to Indonesian customers about the quality of Australian grains for feed and food, including practical information about how to…

Amazone has unveiled new spreader technology that automatically compensates for wind on the real-time spreading pattern. The new system, WindControl, automatically monitors and adjusts spreading patterns to minimise the impact of wind when spreading by using high-frequency wind sensors to record wind speed and direction. Wind and ground speed data is then calibrated via a computer to calculate new spreader settings, which adjust the position automatically for consistent spreading in the field. The new technology is available on Amazone’s range of ZA-TS mounted and ZG-TS trailed twin disc centrifugal spreaders. Amazone product specialist at the Class Harvest Centre Joshua Patrick says the extent to which wind can alter the distribution of fertiliser is significant. “Headwinds or tailwinds can stretch or compress the spreading pattern, while crosswinds can shift the pattern…

German manufacturer Horsch has entered the Australian sprayer market. Its first unit, the newly-released Leeb 6.280VL sprayer, has arrived in the country and will initially be shown to customers before being made available for sale. It marks a new product direction for Horsch, which has previously been focused on broadacre seeding and tillage equipment in the Australian market. Jan Moens, service and training manager at Horsch distributor Muddy River Agricultural, says the introduction of sprayers to Australia has been on the company’s radar for several years but finding the ideal model had been a hindrance. “We’ve been looking at sprayers for a number of years but one of the issues we’ve had is finding the right specifications,” he says. “Being a European product, Horsch started developing the machine for their…

John Deere, Claas, Case IH and New Holland have all sought to assure farmers that things are ready for the coming harvest season. John Deere told customers in September that a specially commissioned flight had brought 110 tonnes of spare parts to the company’s Australian and New Zealand Distribution Centre. This is in addition to Deere also doubling its weekly supply of parts by adding 10 tonnes of cargo capacity per week over recent months, it said. The distribution centre has more than 133,000 lines in stock to assist with more than 340 current models of John Deere machinery, plus earlier generation models. Deere’s Australia and New Zealand managing director Luke Chandler says the delivery will put it on the front foot ahead of harvest season. CNH Industrial, responsible for…

Raven Industries showcased its OmniDrive technology to crowds at the Farm Progress Show in Illinois in September, which the company describes as an "aftermarket technology solution that turns existing tractors into driverless machines". The technology allowed for a Case IH Magnum tractor to be controlled without an operator, with it pulling a grain cart and being directed to sync with a harvester during the demonstration. Raven Industries, a US-based precision agriculture company, was bought earlier this year by CNH Industrial for a US$2.1 billion enterprise value. CNH Industrial is the parent company of Case IH, plus other well-known manufacturers such as New Holland and Iveco. Case IH’s Australia and New Zealand general manager Pete McCann says the technology is the next step in an ongoing process for the company. "This…

The organisers of AgQuip, ACM Rural Events, cited the ongoing uncertainty of COVID-19 as the reason for its cancellation, having already postponed the event from its initial date in mid-August. Extended lockdowns and restrictions on travel throughout New South Wales and interstate, as well as snap lockdowns throughout other parts of the country, meant organisers were forced to cancel the event after initially rescheduling it to November. The decision was made in consultation with the NSW state government and agencies. ACM Rural Events group manager Kate Nugent says the cancellation of the show for the second year in a row was disappointing, but insisted the decision was made to protect the community. “It is with a great sense of loss, disruption and disappointment to cancel for the second year (in…

The Schuitemaker Rapide 580 has long been of interest to me, as I’ve had a hankering to see it up close and learn more about the unique trailing pickup these machines run. I’m not aware of any other brand of loader wagon, baler, or forage harvester using a similar pickup system. Despite the time of year (early August), we managed to arrange an outing to see the machine at work. Obviously, you’ll be scratching your head wondering what any contractor would be doing with a 38 cubic metre loader wagon at this time of the season. However, arriving at the paddock for a machinery test of the Schuitemaker Rapide 580, New Zealand North Island contractor Ollie Hawke from Phil Hawke Contracting, based in the Waikato district, assured me there was…

Based near Moura in Central Queensland, mixed-farming enterprise Hutchinson Ag says the industry-leading remote diagnostics and backup delivered through John Deere’s Connected Support package is helping it to power productivity. About half of the 4,500 hectares of mixed, sandy loam and black-clay soils farmed by Hutchinson Ag across Glendale and Macander on the Dawson River is under irrigation and encompasses production of 235 hectares of wheat and 1,800 hectares of cotton. The balance is used for dryland cropping and beef cattle production. Run by brothers Chris, Brian and Greg Hutchinson, alongside their father David, the business relies primarily on two CP690 cotton pickers and one 7760 cotton picker to service the business’ cotton production, as well as a powerful fleet of tractors including two 8345Rs and 8R340, 8345RT, 8370RT, 8420…

One wrong decision with a choice of pump system and the result could be “tens of thousands of dollars replacing pipes” or even property loss, according to Veldonas director Gatis Gregors. The Melbourne-based business, which has 25 years of history and a customer base across Australia, builds pump systems to order, with more than half of its customers being from the agricultural sector. Gregors says the benefit of having a system built to order is the knowledge that it has been customised to fit your individual needs. “Every setup is different and we work with the customer to determine exactly what flow rates and what pressure is required for their piping installations, which could vary dramatically,” he says. “It could be something that is quite local and you need quite…

A national high-tech map for horticulturalists is being developed in a bid to improve biosecurity preparedness and natural disaster response efforts. The initiative – the National Protected Cropping Map (NPCM) – is being developed by Hort Innovation in conjunction with the University of New England’s (UNE) Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre (AARSC) and will capture the location of horticulture infrastructure and farms in every state and territory of Australia. Hort Innovation says the NPCM will show the location of commercial, polytunnels, shade houses, glasshouses and permanent nets across the country. The map has been backed by agricultural bodies including Protected Cropping Australia, Future Food Systems CRC and Greater Sydney and North Coast Local Land Services, all of which will also help involved farmers with production planning. Hort Innovation head of…

The potential for a major demand shock in the dairy sector is limited, Rabobank says in its Global Dairy Quarterly report – even though uncertainty related to COVID-19 is likely to continue. Demand in China is said to be the likely cause of any downside in the global dairy market, with a slowdown in demand coming if the Chinese state reduces its import figures. But the Chinese dairy market is strong currently, with domestic production and inventories continually increasing while supply is also expected to outpace demand in the nation, meaning imports may decline in the second half of this year. “Global markets may be able to absorb lost sales through 2021, but pressure will be felt in 2022, initially in Oceania, but eventually rippling through global dairy markets,” says…

Eight Australian startups have made the final 45 for Rabobank’s FoodBytes Pitch program, which aims to help emerging food and agriculture companies drive innovation and change. Australia has strong recent history in the event as Perth-based precision irrigation startup Swan Systems won last year’s overall agtech category prize while New South Wales-based ProAgni was a finalist in the same category. The eight startups who were named as finalists, plus their purpose according to Rabobank, are: • Fable: Plant-based meat alternative• Ulu Hye: Plant-based milks• Your Food Collective: Locally grown, ethically sourced groceries• Great Wrap: Plant-based, compostable wraps• AgriDigital: Digitised platform streamlining the grain supply chain• AgUnity: Technologists integrating remote farming communities with global supply chains• ThinkBio: Biological products enabling growers to minimise synthetic fertilisers and optimise yields• TranspiratiONal-SBM: Biodegradable polymer…